Cookies on the IWCP website

This website uses cookies to improve the usability of the site. By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies. To find out more about the cookies we use or to disable any cookies, visit our cookies page.

Isle of Wight campaigners opposed to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in Newport.

ISLANDERS have joined thousands of others around the country in speaking out about a trade partnership critics believe will give corporations the power to sue the government if it stands in the way of profits.

On Saturday Islanders concerned about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) were in Ryde and Newport to hand out leaflets warning of the impact the agreement could have.

According to the European Commission the TTIP is a trade agreement being negotiated between the European Union and the United States.

They claim it is aimed at removing trade barriers making it easier to buy and sell goods and services between the EU and the US.

But critics have raised fears the partnership would leave the door open to privatisation of the NHS and put the government in the grip of the commercial interests of global corporations.

Island campaigner Rachel Bridgeland said: "The TTIP seems deliberately obscure. There’s very little about it in the news, but it will allow foreign companies to buy up public services and US healthcare companies to sue our government if they try to stop the privatisation of the NHS."

Fellow campaigner John Mead said: "Many have expressed concern about the increasing power of global corporations, but are at a loss about what they can do. A lot of people have said they don’t feel represented by any of the political parties."